.222 Rem. in 10-twist Barrel

[South Pender]

I have a new Dakota Varminter (with a slightly-modified Nesika action) .222 Rem. single-shot rifle with a 10-twist Douglas barrel and Jewell trigger. I was very surprised when I discovered the 10-twist barrel (by the usual tight patch on rod method), as I was expecting a 12-twist, and this has got me to wondering which bullets are likely to shoot most accurately in this barrel. From the various stability tables, it would seem that 60, 63, up to 69-gr. bullets would stabilize fine. So am I better concentrating on--or at least starting out with--these somewhat-heavier .224 bullets since they come closer to the ragged edge of stability normally associated with optimal accuracy? I guess the easy answer is "try them and find out," but I'm curious about this. Anyone here with experience with faster-twist barrels in .222 Rem.?

 

[fiddler]

Bullets of 40 or 50 gr shoots best from when I used to reload. 5 shots touching each other on the paper at 100 yards

 

[Buckmastr]

Shoot the 40 and 50 vmax and I bet you’ll find one that shoots better. Then load develop around that bullet pushing it faster. You get longer barrel life with lighter bullets. And Hornady are available most places for reasonable prices. Imo the 222 isn’t really a heavier bullet cartridge.

 

[mbogo3]

Most .222 are 1-14 except for the T3's or custom jobs.

 

[South Pender]

Most .222 are 1-14 except for the T3's or custom jobs.

Yes, you're right--almost all 1:14. These days with the trend towards heavier bullets for caliber, faster twists are being seen on many custom rigs.

 

[mbogo3]

Where legal a .222 works well on deer with the proper bullets and marksman.

 

[IvoB]

36 grainers would probably shoot outstanding in it

 

[dan belisle]

That twist should allow accuracy with bullets in the 60-70gr range. - dan

 

[Mystic Precision]

What is the end use goals for the 222?

How long is the throat?

Jerry

 

[South Pender]

That twist should allow accuracy with bullets in the 60-70gr range. - dan

Yes, that's what I was thinking--maybe the 60s, 63s, and 65s. These aren't the usual bullet choices for the little .222 Rem, but they should shoot reasonably well.

What is the end use goals for the 222?

How long is the throat?

Jerry

Use: probably varmints and range target-shooting. As for the throat, 60-grain Bergers touching the lands have their base at 1.423" (so .277" deep); .52-grain Barts touching the lands have their base at 1.497" (so .203" deep). I'm not sure how you'd describe that throat length, but I'm guessing probably normal for the triple deuce.

 

[Mystic Precision]

Sounds like the standard throat so lean on the lighter bullets for now.

I am sure they will shoot great

Jerry